Master of Music in Performance 

Your Audition

Suitable applicants will be invited to the Conservatoire to undertake an audition and interview. A very high standard of performance is expected.   

The audition will involve a performance (see below for specific requirements) and an interview.  The Audition Panel reserves the right to halt a performance when it has heard enough to form a judgement.  The interview is intended to assess your suitability for entry to the programme. You should be prepared to answer questions about your music studies, performance experience and repertoire, research interests and career plans.   

Where relevant, candidates are requested to provide their own form of accompaniment (or supporting musicians) and to provide copies of the music (or outline scores) for the audition panel. 

International applicants who are unable to attend an entrance audition in person can send a video recording of their audition with good quality audio (see below for specific requirements). Applicants whose video performances are of a suitable standard will then be contacted for an interview, usually via Microsoft Teams.    

Specific Audition Requirements

Brass 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces/movements representing at least two musical styles of at least the standard for an undergraduate performance degree.   

Chamber Music 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces/movements representing at least two musical styles from the classical chamber music repertoire of at least the standard for an undergraduate performance degree.   

Classical Guitar 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces/movements representing at least two musical styles of at least the standard for an undergraduate performance degree.   

Classical Accordion 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces/movements representing at least two musical styles. At least one work should be played from memory. There will also be a sight-reading test.  

Irish Traditional Music 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces from the Irish traditional repertoire of at least the standard for an undergraduate performance degree, to include a slow air. Copies of the music or outline scores are not required for the audition panel for Irish traditional music auditions.

Jazz 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting jazz pieces of at least the standard for an undergraduate performance degree, to include a ballad.  

Percussion 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces/movements representing at least two musical styles of at least the standard for an undergraduate performance degree.   

Piano 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces/movements representing at least two musical styles, to include one concert study. At least one work should be played from memory.  There will also be a sight-reading test. 

Piano Accompaniment 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces/movements representing at least two musical styles, to include one concert study. At least one work should be played from memory. There will also be a sight-reading test. 

Organ and Harpsichord 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces/movements representing at least two musical styles, to include one major work from the Baroque period. There will also be a sight-reading test.  

Repetiteur 

Candidates should prepare the following programme:  

1. Sing and play a secco recitative from a Mozart opera with a minimum of two characters and not shorter than 25 bars.
2. Sing and play two scenes from two different operas and in two different languages. Each scene should be approx. ten minutes in length.  A duet may be chosen for one scene only and otherwise, scenes should have a minimum of three characters. 
3. Read a short text in a foreign language and translate the same into English.  The text will be provided in advance. 
4. Sight-read from an opera score, with a conductor.  

INO Répétiteur Scholarship

Strings 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces/movements representing at least two musical styles of at least the standard for an undergraduate performance degree.   

Woodwind 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme of contrasting pieces/movements representing at least two musical styles of at least the standard for an undergraduate performance degree.   

Vocal Studies 

Candidates should prepare a 20-minute programme, balanced in style and language, covering all genres, and should sing in at least two languages.  

Assessment Criteria  

Applicants will be selected based on merit and potential and must convince the audition/interview panel that they have the ability, maturity and potential to cope with the demands of the programme.   

MMus in Performance applicants will be judged based on the following criteria, assessed by means of the audition, interview and application:   

• talent and potential 
• demonstration of a serious commitment to a career in music
• previous performance experience
• quality of previous training and musicianship
• broad knowledge of music, including historical contexts and contemporary practice
• demonstration of academic writing skills
• interpersonal skills for team building and leadership 

Further Information

Dr Julie Maisel
MMus Programme Chair
E: julie.maisel@tudublin.ie